Fisher going strong at 61

Dan Fisher, who lives in Andrews, is the oldest athlete to compete in a Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association National Finals show.

The 61-year-old competed in the Nov. 2-3 Clem McSpadden National Finals Steer Roping at the Lazy E Arena near Guthrie, Okla. He actually broke the age record he set two years ago when he competed in the NFSR at 59.

“I’ve never really slowed down,” Fisher said.

“It’s just something I do year after year. I just stick to ranching and practicing roping everyday. It’s just been a way of life for the past 40 years.”

During the NFSR, Fisher earned $10,808 after making 10 runs. He finished 12th in the world title race after pocketing $40,247 throughout 2012.

Fisher has 15 NFSR qualifications. He earned his first back number in 1986.

“There have been years I’ve missed qualifying for the Finals as the result of having knee surgery,” Fisher said. “But during those times, I’ve always rehabbed well and rebounded.”

Last year, Fisher missed qualifying for the NFSR after undergoing prostate cancer surgery. But he rapidly recovered and qualified for the 2012 edition in 13th place.

Fisher also competes against his two sons, Vin and J. Tom, who are former qualifiers to the National Finals Steer Roping. Vin Fisher, 31, competed in 2012 NFSR and finished third in the 2012 world title race with $86,503.

■ Brazile watch: Trevor Brazile began the regular season with an opportunity to break the record for the most world titles in the PRCA.

But after finishing second in the world title race at the National Finals Steer Roping, Brazile will have to wait at least another year.

The record is 18 gold buckles and it’s held by steer roper Guy Allen. Brazile, an Amarillo native who lives in Decatur, has 16 world titles.

The best Brazile can do this year is tie Allen. He can finish this season with 18 gold buckles if he clinches the all-around and team roping world titles at the Dec. 6-15 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas.

Brazile will enter the NFR (held at the Thomas & Mack Center) with the all-around title almost clinched. His season total of $247,977 is ranked first in the PRCA standings. Bronc rider Steven Dent is second with $144,465.

Brazile also is ranked No. 1 in team roping heading with $132,254. Chad Masters is No. 2 with $117,475.

■ Texas Stampede update: The Texas Stampede was last a PRCA-approved show in 2008 when it was held at Dallas’ American Airlines Center. This year, it returned to the PRCA fold and its earnings will count toward the 2013 regular-season world standings.

The 2012 Stampede was conducted last weekend at the Allen Event Center. This edition drew an array of credentialed competitors such as defending world tie-down roping champion Tuf Cooper, a native of Childress who lives in Decatur.

Cooper tied for first in the event at the Texas Stampede after turning in a time of 7.7 seconds and he earned $2,180. Former NFR qualifier Kory Koontz of Sudan tied for first in team roping/heeling after he and his partner, Justin Van Davis, turned in a 3.8 ($3,762 each).

Brett Hoffman, a Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame member, has written a rodeo column for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram during the past 25 years. Email him at brett@myrodeoinsider.com